Law enforcement, governor among those in run to pay tribute to victims of 2011 IHOP shooting
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Tue, 09/06/2016 - 7:43am
Runners and walkers gathered at IHOP in Carson City early Tuesday morning to commemorate the victims of the IHOP mass shooting that happened five years ago today in Carson City.
On Sept. 6, 2011, Nevada Guardsmen Lt. Col. Heath Kelly, 35, Master Sgt. Christian Riege, 38, Sgt. 1st Class Miranda McElhiney, 31, and civilian Florence Donovan-Gunderson, 67, of South Lake Tahoe, were killed in the shooting rampage, in which a mentally ill gunman took his own life. Two other soldiers and seven patrons were injured.
Meanwhile, more than 200 soldiers participated in a memorial run at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. The run was done by the 17th Sustainment Brigade, 1st Sustainment Command. Go here for the full story.
Among those participating in the memorial run was Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, who was joined by Brig. Gen Michael Hanifan, Commander Nevada Army National Guard. They were among the dozens of soldiers and airman, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and families on hand.
All three of the deceased soldiers worked at the Office of the Adjutant General on Fairview Drive in Carson City. The run was organized by Laura Boldry, a captain with the Nevada Army National Guard.
Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong was joined by retired Carson City Deputy Rick Dodds at the start of the event, in the parking lot of IHOP. Deputy Dodd and Sheriff Furlong were both first responders to the scene with Dodd confirming the shooter was down.
Following the run, Sheriff Furlong reflected on the event at the 911 Memorial at Mills Park.
“There’s not a tragedy in the news that we haven't witnessed here in Carson City — from the events five years ago to having an officer killed in the line of duty, we have experienced the same consequences of evil in our society,” said Furlong. “As men and women of law enforcement and public safety, when we are knocked down, we get back up and we continue to fight.”
Furlong said it was the community’s response in the aftermath of the IHOP shooting, like the Deputy Carl Howell shooting on August 15, 2015, where mourning happens, and healing and resilience begins.
“I am very proud of the community response to IHOP and how this community has continued to stand by us with our tragedies this office has experienced," said Furlong. "It goes to show, and I’ll paraphrase Rick Dodds here, that it is amazing that as law officers we come to work every day hoping these things don't happen but are prepared in case they do...It is a reminder, as with the anniversary of 911 coming up, that we all must be vigilant.”
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